Steering rack adjustment

[Gresley]

I have just found some play in the driver's side inner balljoint on my steering rack. I have never adjusted a power rack (but have on a manual) and I'm unsure if I can just reshim it, or do I need a new nylon cup washer? I've done a search but haven't found the answer...

Can anyone help please?

Thanks

Brian.

[4x4]

I just reshimmed mine

[V Mad]

I think you could just reshim it although I don't know of anyone who supplies the shims. LDPart sell a poly bush kit that I used once which worked well.

[milothedog]

Paddocks used to sell the tie rod complete, maybe worth a phone call

Ian

[4x4]

Bear in mind that as you're trying to take play out - there's a good chance you don't need extra shims - because you're taking out them out to remove the play

[V Mad]

Bear in mind that as you're trying to take play out - there's a good chance you don't need extra shims - because you're taking out them out to remove the play

I think the shims are behind the cup so you need to add shims to compensate for wear.

[wilf]

Spooky - my MOT tester identified play in exactly the same area, he says he can get it refurbished with a new nylon cup for me. (This is a classic car specialist)

[Gresley]

Ah! Thanks folks, just what I needed to know... it sounds a similar job to the manual rack on a Triumph 2000. I'll call into JP and see if they have any shims etc.

I'm sure the speed ramps which I have to go over every day have accelerated the wear

Thanks again

Brian.

[redstag]

I think the shims are behind the cup so you need to add shims to compensate for wear.

Hi Chris,

I have done this a few times and 4x4 is right, you need to reduce shim thickness to remove play.

Pete

[KOY 23]

Chris Witor sells polyurethane cups and shims. Bought a kit a year ago as I had a MOT advisory, last MOT no advisory so not fitted yet. At that time Chris Witor was the only supplier.

[Mike Stevens]

Brian,

The rack assembly is the same as a PAS on the 2000 range, with the exception that the end stops were slightly thicker on the Stag. This is rack, inner and outer ball joints and the steering levers.

CW used to list the shims and cups, and when I did them, I needed to increase the shim thickness to tighten it up, not remove them. However, having just checked his site, I can't see them anymore!

Edit - on checking again, he does list the cups in the polybush bit and the shims (2.5 and 10 thou?) in the steering section.

Cheers,
Mike.

[V Mad]

Brian,


...increase the shim thickness to tighten it up, not remove them.
Mike.

Thats two against one now!!

[Mike Stevens]

Thats two against one now!!

Well, I still think adding shim thickness will increase the pressure between ball and cup. However, the best bet is surely to replace the cup as that's the bit that will have worn? At £10-25 a set, .....

Cheers,
Mike.

[redstag]

Thats two against one now!!

Sorry guys, you are absolutely correct, I got it the wrong way round. The shims sit behind the cup and as you say more shims decreases the play.
Embarrassing thing is I only did it for last years mot

Pete

[Gresley]

Hi Mike,

Many thanks for that detailed info, it's a big help. I will get on on to CW for the bits and have a look, I only have a tiny bit of play but it's enough to bother me! I've done the job on a 2.5 PI with PAS so now I know they are the same I have an idea of what to do, but it was a very long time ago! I seem to remember having to add shims behing the cup, I know I bought a big spanner for the job!

Thanks

Brian.